So tell me again...why use a *NIX?

[Trousersnake]

I mean don't get me wrong they seem good and everything I'm just really used to Windows. I've installed distros from Red Hat, Mandrake, Fedora Cores, Knoppix, Ubuntu to obsecure releases

I never got Debian working which was a shame, I want to see SUSE operate but I'm not willing to install it just to see it in action.

Anyhow, besides 'security issues' (I'm really not too fussed about that...I mean what have I got to hide? My taste in music collections??) Plus I consider myself mindful enough to sidestep malware.

So why do its users...use it?

I am fairly cynical at the moment thinking well there are the anti-M$ types, those who say it's good to program or code in and then there are...umm? This is why I ask

Too me the anti-M$ is a personal choice thing, there's those that don't want to hand over money or use an illegal version of something. And as for programming/code/whatever is that really the case and if so why is there a motto "linux for human beings" how many computer users want to do that let alone have the skill to do so/learn how to and implement?

For me I wanted a change of scenario haha back I came back.

[Trousersnake]

Oh and I suppose too...better use of available system resources. But again it's never been something to alarm me with in Windows in any case.

[Jaguarstrike]

Linux does what you tell it, Windows does what it wants, then maybe what you tell it.

Only problem is learning to tell linux what you want it to do.

Ive only been using linux about 2 weeks and am doing great.

Edit: and theres no malware.

[RAOVQ]

i don't really care about microsoft. i use linux for a few reasons:

) it has the apps i want, and i don't need to start pirating random programs to get things done.

) security is such that i cannot ruin the system without intentionally doing so or practicing gross negligence. it does not just 'magically break' like windows does.

) if something does go wrong i get meaningful error messages that help me diagnose and fix the problem. no indecipherable blue screens or generic "illegal operation" messages.

) far more customisable without the need to install dozens of random programs.

) linux makes no attempt to hide options and embraces experimentation.

) security through obscurity is complete and utter bullshit practiced by fools.

) it is completely free, and will remain so, with every application you could want also free, and their updates. (that's a big one)

) the community promotes learning and understanding, instead of reformatting every time something minor happens while denying systematic bugs.

) most malware does not target linux (even things like the sony rootkit fiasco that could not be "sidestepped") and could only cause user damage if it did.

) DRM free, and always will be (another huge one).

) it is actually easier to use. installing programs, updating, editing and troubleshooting is far more straightforward and quicker than any other system. the repository and package managers mean a child can install any one of thousands of applications.

i use it simply because it does as i ask without a whole lot of bullshit. i can trim the system right down to run on an old pentium 2, or i can run it with all the bells and whistles to make it far prettier than vista. support for linux does struggle in some areas, but i lose nothing by using it (except for the ability to play encrypted wmv's, but they are never anything good).

applications are constantly updated and reviewed, so if you have an issue with one there is every chance the next version release will fix it. there are no hidden backround programs that run deceptively, and copyright protection is not an issue.

that is all without mentioning the politics behind it. i am a huge fan of free software and GPL licences in general. i have no interest in furthering the microsoft monoculture.

[fatmanGTHO]

It feels as though the people who put it together actually put some thought into it. Mouse over an mp3 file's icon, and it starts playing. No need to wait while your windows media player boots up (and then loads the news). That's brilliant and whoever thought of it, I'll shout them a beer. It's just one example, of course, but it illustrates what I'm trying to say.

[Trousersnake]

Originally Posted by fatmanGTHO

It feels as though the people who put it together actually put some thought into it. Mouse over an mp3 file's icon, and it starts playing. No need to wait while your windows media player boots up (and then loads the news). That's brilliant and whoever thought of it, I'll shout them a beer. It's just one example, of course, but it illustrates what I'm trying to say.

Without seeing it in action it seems like a pain in the ass to me - I mean if you're halfway through a song and mouse over another file by accident it'll play that file interupting the previous. eh?

[fatmanGTHO]

Yeah. You would open your player if you were going to listen to music. But if you just want a preview, it's brilliant.

[Trousersnake]

Originally Posted by fatmanGTHO

Yeah. You would open your player if you were going to listen to music. But if you just want a preview, it's brilliant.

Ah okay, gotcha.

RAOVQ or anyone that can answer this:

What is a application running under *NIX that can convert from a DVD movie to other formats such as DivX, VCD, SVCD, XviD, iPod, PSP etc, etc ?

What is a good website for downloading software for *NIX?

Do all Linux OS's install new proggies the same way like between Windows versions or do they do things differently?

I am getting a box from work that has, from memory, got a P4 2.4Ghz CPU, 256RAM (I have 3-4 256 sticks at home but I'll have to work out compatability and # of slots available), and 20GB HDD (Again I have some spare 10gig HDDs at home from memory). I am unsure of things like video and sound cards but it has a plain CD ROM drive, and a floppy disc drive. The machine has USB ports and a network card...I have a 56K modem at home I could toss in.

Any suggestions for a distro I could benefit from?

I am thinking in order of preference

1. Debian
2. Slackware
3. Mandriva
4. Fedora Core
5. SUSE

But going of my specs I dunno what to use and what release. Any help?

[RAOVQ]

for ripping dvd's there is a program called dvd::rip. it rips and encodes, with a reasonable amount of options. there are many other programs out there that will do all or part of the job with varying complexity, but i got tired of having to spend twenty minutes setting up each encode.

the thing about linux is that you don't need a website to download programs. almost every program you will ever need is in a thing called a repository. it is basically a big online database of all different packages. all are completely free and checked thouroughly for any nasties. you use a package manager to install them. the ubuntu one looks like this.

you don't need to browse random sites looking for your program, then fucking about with download queues and logins, only to have to scan for virii and then install it. with this, you search for what you want, select it to be installed and hit apply. it will download, install and configure the program all on its own. pretty much all distributions have a very simliar setup. that said, you can still do the windows way if you chose, or don't have access to the net on a machine. sourceforge.org is a good place to start for that.

i like debian. ive used fedora at uni and it never really caught on. that said though, they are all pretty well the same, most commands work the exact same and when comparing the main players, it comes down to personal preferences.

the computer sounds like it will deal with almost any distribution well. it may not run with all the bells and whistles like beryl, but it will do a fine job.

[Jaguarstrike]

Debian comes with this weather applet for your panel, so youll never need windows again! (harr harr harr)